MJ an Airedale Puppy

I have broken all my rules. I have raised Airedales for forty years and have never raised a litter at Christmas time as I have always advised that Christmas is not the time to get a new puppy. There are many reasons why this is not a good time. ( I will only post a few because the reason for this article is to describe how to raise a puppy at this time of year.)

Why not to get a puppy at Christmas:
+The adults are too busy getting ready for Christmas and training will not be consistent
+There will be many people coming and going and puppy could escape out the door in the excitement
+Puppy will be given food he shouldn’t have by visitors who don’t realize the consequences of this behavior
+There are many harmful things for puppy to get into at this time of year such as chocolate, fatty food, Christmas decorations, harmful plants

Enough of reasons why not – as I will now have to tell you what I am doing now that I have broken my own rules. I was given the opportunity of getting a puppy sired by a dog that I have wanted to use in my breeding program. This puppy was available in December and if I did not take him, I would have lost the opportunity.

I drove to Grand Forks, North Dakota, to get M.J., as shipping to Canada from the U.S. is getting more and more complicated. This way I could clear him through customs. M.J. arrived in his kennel, standing up and looking straight at me, and with a loud clear bark was saying, “Get me out of here.” It took some time to get the appropriate papers from the airline signed and shipping costs paid. He was shipped in a large crate so there had been no question about having enough room. The puppy has to be able to stand and not have any part of his head touch the top of the kennel. He also has to be able to lie down and stretch out in the kennel. M.J. had no problem in this regard! This adds to cost of shipping, but results in puppy being cleared for travel.

Once he was finally cleared to leave the terminal I put on a leash (we call this type of leash a dope rope and it is leash and collar in one, and fits puppies and adult dogs as the noose will open wide and has a slider to make it smaller for small dogs and puppies) that I had brought with me. The breeder had also attached a leash to the top of the kennel, in case I forgot mine. On his leash and outside on the grass all M.J. wanted was to greet me and get some attention. We finally gave up trying to get him to do anything else and loaded him back in his kennel for the trip home. A dog or puppy should always travel in a crate or be restrained with a dog harness or in a dog car seat when traveling.

Our trip home would take another couple of hours so we decided to stop just before customs to allow M.J. one more chance for a pee. Here we finally had success as we were able to walk him around and let him play for a while first.

Clearing customs was interesting as I did not have any papers to show what the puppy was worth. We had a discussion back and forth and finally agreed on a price, and appropriate taxes were paid. We were then allowed to carry on home.

What is it like to have a puppy in December in Canada? In Grand Forks there was no snow. In St. Andrews there is. M.J. was fascinated by the white stuff- but also did not want to stay outside as he had been an inside puppy up until now. We would put him out and he would come back in and pee! He was put to bed in his crate that evening and within half an hour started to cry. Nothing seemed to work. I tried putting a radio beside him with nice Country Western music, but M.J. said, “No way, can I listen to that,” and continued to howl. The second night I tried different music and he still howled. The third night I found a station that was featuring a religious service with sermons and hymns. I had no idea that M.J. knew that it was Christmas season and preferred this type of station. It was our first night of peace.

To get M.J. used to peeing outside I would get dressed in my coat and boots and go out with him and wait until he finally peed. After doing this countless times, he finally got the idea. It also helped that I have an older puppy, and the weather warmed up to just freezing temperature and they could stay outside for long enough to play and go to the bathroom. M.J. also will not drink our water, as it is well water and he was used to city water. We buy him bottled water and that is fine, he says. When you get a new puppy it is always better to start them with bottled water as a change to different tap water can cause diarrhea and along with house training, can be a problem!

We have had many outings due to the season, and M.J. is always put in his crate before we go. We know he would amuse himself by getting into trouble if we didn’t do this. Even when we have been home and in the same room with him he has started to chew my laptop cord, played in his water and dumped it on the floor, jumped up and grabbed a letter I had just written and tore a piece off of it, spilled his food all over the floor as he raced around the room. Just imagine what he could do if I wasn’t there to get him out of trouble. I don’t even leave the room for long unless he is put in his crate as he could get into something that could hurt him. Christmas decorations, chocolate, wrapping paper with who knows what toxic material, Christmas gifts, electrical cords can all be hazards.

I chose to get a puppy, thus I have to limit the length of my activities away from home. I can’t go away for the entire day as that is too long to leave a puppy. M.J. is crated all night (well not all night as now he wakes me up at 1:30 a.m. to go out for a pee – or probably just stretch his legs as I have not seen him pee!) and then back to bed until early morning, some time between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. I just retired last December and thought early mornings would be a thing of the past!! Because he is crated all night, it would not be appropriate to go away for the day. He needs to have time to eat and play during the day. This means I have about four hours a day that I can be away. I have to choose day or evening, or go for a couple of hours twice a day.

We have also chosen to not have all of the family home for Christmas day. This would be about 15 people and I know that this would be too much excitement for M.J. and my consistent training would go out the window. Instead I treated all of the family to dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory one evening so we could all be together. This also fit within my four hour limit of being away from home. On Christmas day we will go to our daughter’s for dinner and again, this will fit within my time schedule.

M.J.’s training is progressing well. He has only had one accident in the past week and he is slowly learning that night time is for sleeping. He is very affectionate, loves to sleep on my lap while I work on the computer (this is a challenge as I love using a laptop), and comes when he is called.

I will end with saying, “I still do not recommend December and Christmas time for getting a puppy, but it can be done if you are willing to change your schedule to accommodate.”

Remember with young puppies and both cats and kittens, they are very tempted by all the shiny tinsel on the tree and hanging decorations. You may have to close the door to keep them out when you are not there to watch as if they eat any of the tinsel, or break an ornament and get cut with the glass, you will have a trip to the vet. Cats and kittens may also try to climb the tree and cause it to tip over.

Most will learn not to leave the tree alone if you spend enough time with them and discourage them going near it, but do not leave them unsupervised near the tree.

Also remember that they can become sick from all the rich food that is available. Tell your guests not to be giving them rich treats. Rich gravies and chocolate can especially be hazardous for your dog. Both can cause severe stomach upsets and chocolate can be lethal if they eat enough of it.

Pets that are excitable, or anxious, can be especially upset by all the guests coming and going. A relatively new, and helpful apparel is the Thundershirt. It can greatly alleviate anxiety in dogs and puppies.

Now remember to purchase and wrap a treat and toy for your pet so that Christmas morning they will have just as much fun as the kids in unwrapping their gift. I would suggest, though, that you only place this gift under the tree when you are ready to start unwrapping, as otherwise they may not wait for Christmas to find their gift.

Cute Papillon with Thundershirt

Christmas is for Pets Too
Christmas can increase your dog’s anxiety. There is an answer that will help your dog and you enjoy Christmas. Try the thundershirt.

If you backpack with your dog, you are not alone. But your dog does depend on you to know where you are going, and to keep yourself safe, as he cannot carry you out if you fall and break your leg. Dogs do make your backpacking trips to isolated areas more enjoyable. That is, of course, if you like dogs. I, for one, cannot imagine not liking dogs.They also do not complain if you decide to leave before daylight. They are willing for any adventure, on any day, and at any time. I don’t know why Kives hasn’t discovered that a dog does not distract you from seeing your surroundings. They, in fact, often discover things that you would not find on your own. They can smell that bear in the distance, long before you become aware.

Kives’ recommendations make a lot of sense even if you travel with a dog for a companion. He recommends that you take a familiar route that is fairly well traveled, especially if you are relatively new to the back country. These well traveled routes are clearly marked, the trail is fresh, and most likely other hikers will come by at some point if you do need help. He also says to tell someone where you are going and when you will be back. This makes a lot of sense, as if there are no others on the trail, who would your dog ask for help! Kives goes on to recommend taking a compass and map, and a cell phone (if one will work in the area you are going) or a GPS where your family can monitor where you are. Even traveling with your dog, this is a good idea, as your dog might be able to find his way out of the area, if you got lost, but would you trust him enough to follow. Remember also that a dog might take the shortest route out, and it would not be easy to follow.

Kives last recommendation is to travel light, but not too light. He says it is easier to climb or descend when you aren’t carrying a heavy load. You do need a first aid kit, rain gear and it is best to carry some form of shelter and warm clothing in case you do need to stay overnight. Another big advantage of taking your dog, especially if you have a medium to large dog, is that they can help carry your necessities. There are backpacks made especially for dogs and they can help lighten your load. It is necessary that you carry food for both your dog and you, just in case you get caught spending the night. Safe drinking water is also a necessity, and if you can’t carry enough to last for your trip, you need a means of making the available water safe to drink.

Your dog can assist you in carrying essentials if you purchase a dog saddlebag for him. Be sure that you measure your dog and buy a size that is the right fit and he can help carry extra water and supplies for both of you.
Happy traveling, and remember your dog!

Hiking Companion

Boxer with his Saddle Bags

Do you also have a pet who seems to like to sleep more often than he did before? Does he get up slowly and no longer jump up on the sofa to take a nap when you take yours? Are you aware that your pet can also get arthritis and that his symptoms may be very similar to yours?  Along with similar symptoms, there are similar treatments for both dog and human.

Arthritis symptoms in dogs can be some, or all, of the following:

• Difficulty getting up from a sleeping position
• Sleeping more
• Favoring a limb
• Stiffness that may go away once the dog moves about
• Hesitancy climbing stairs, jumping or running
• Less interest in playing
• Decreased activity of any kind
• Weight gain
• Change in personality

What should you do if you notice these symptoms?  It is advisable to have a veterinarian do a thorough evaluation and he may want to take x-rays of the hips and other affected joints. One possibility is hip dysplasia, but in older dogs it may be arthritis.  Arthritis is a degeneration of the joints where the cartilage wears away and the two joints rub together, bone on bone. This can be very painful for the dog and causes impaired mobility.

What are the risk factors for arthritis?

• Some breeds have a higher genetic risk of contracting arthritis. Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds have a higher risk.
• Hip dysplasia – if a dog has hip dysplasia this puts extra stress on other joints and may lead to osteo-arthritis in those joints.
• Trauma to the joints – dogs that are extremely active, jumping & climbing, or forced exercise, especially as young puppies can traumatize young joints and lead to later problems with arthritis. Dogs that are injured in accidents – hit by a car – may heal but develop arthritis at a later date.
• Infection caused by diseases such as Lyme disease (carried by ticks -see my earlier article), can affect the joints and lead to arthritis
• Obesity in dogs can put so much stress on joints that arthritis will develop

Arthritis in dogs is very common and it is estimated that it affects one dog in five during their lifetime.

What therapies are helpful?

• Pain management is important and your veterinarian will be the best resource for this

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS): are commonly used in both dogs and humans for treatment of arthritis
• Diet is important, if your dog is overweight feed your dog less and/or purchase a specialized d
  

  Airedales Getting Exercise

  og food for weight loss.  A pet food store can provide you with appropriate dog food options.

• Exercise is very important. Start slowly and increase the amount of exercise slowly. This will build up the dogs muscles and this will assist with supporting the joints. Remember that exercise is good for both you and your dog and you can get healthier together.
• Pet treatments such as food or pills containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and Omega fatty acids have shown to be helpful in alleviating some of the symptoms of arthritis.

Remember that your pet cannot tell you when he is not feeling well, thus it is very important that you are observant to changes in his behavior.  After all, he depends on you to keep him comfortable.

Dog Travel Pro | Pet Travel Supplies | Pet… by Visiblenet

This Airedale went on to win a Best in Show one day of the 4 day, 5 show Manitoba Canine Association Dog Show in Winnipeg, Manitoba. How do we get 5 shows in 4 days. Well, that includes the Red River Terrier Association Specialty. This gives one dog the opportunity to get 5 sets of points in one long weekend.

Traveling to an outdoor show in August means you have to think about the weather. Will it be hot, or rainy, or windy, or cold, or a little of all four. This August weekend (11th to 14th) was mainly hot, but sometimes MCA has high winds, rain and intense heat. There is an arena where owners and handlers can set up with dog crates and tables for grooming, but on hot weekends the arena is not air conditioned. Some owner/handlers choose to bring tents and pop-up shade to take advantage of any breezes that might cool the dogs on a hot day. Beware the high winds, though, as they can blow those tents over if not securely tethered, and even sometimes take both tent and tether if they are high enough.

This time everyone was lucky. Winds were not high, sun was not too intense, there was no rain, and everyone had a great time.

Airedale, Ready for the Ring

http://calabasas.patch.com/articles/vacationing-with-a-pet-some-tips-from-a-vet-2

Vacationing With A Pet? Some Tips From a Vet – Calabasas, CA

Stylish Pet Carrier for Those Road Trips

Dr. James Isaac gives us some great tips for traveling with a pet. He knows that more and more families are choosing to take their pets with them and this information will be important for the “first time” pet traveler. He recommends a pet carrier, and we have a number of pet carriers that would be ideal for the small pet.  We also carry dog crates for  the larger dogs.

Be sure to remember that summer travel adds  other problems, such as extreme heat. We have to ensure that we are able to take our dogs with us, when we leave our cars, as even a few minutes in a hot car can be fatal for a pet.

For a small pet, the pet carrier is a convenient way for you to take your pet with you when you stop at a roadside attraction.

Dogs In Canada Magazine — » Six things to know before leaving your dog in the car

Summer travel is not advisable with a pet, unless you are prepared to always leave someone in the car with him, while you travel. Dogs in Canada gives you six good reasons as to why it is not advisable. Even those who work with their dogs, such as canine handlers in the police force, have made tragic mistakes. Don’t let this happen to one of your pets.
Police dogs die in baking-hot car; officer reportedly attempts suicide – thestar.com
Do a google search for dog in hot car and you will find pages of dogs that have died this year, or that have been rescued and saved. Why does it take so many warnings and yet people continue to leave their dog for “just a minute” that stretches into more and their dog dies, or suffers immensely. Don’t let this happen to your dog. I am sure the owner of this cute Frenchie would never leave him in the car unattended. These short nosed breeds are particularly susceptible to heat. Have a great summer, enjoy your pet, but be careful!

Some puppies and dogs require less exercise than others. If you are thinking of a high energy dog, that needs to work or run, you will need to spend much time exercising this dog after work and on weekends. Ideally someone should also be available to let the dog out at noon, or mid 8 hour shift, so that the dog can wear off excess energy by chasing a ball in the back yard, or going for a long walk.

If you have given much consideration to the purchase of a puppy and decide to take the plunge, you need to be prepared. First you need to purchase necessary supplies such as stainless steel bowls, pet mat for under the bowls, brush and comb (get advice from the breeder as to what your breed requires as different coats require different care), dog kennel, washable crate pads, leash and collar and of course suitable toys. Again check with your breeder as you have to be careful that the toys you purchase are safe for your new puppy and be sure to ask what food your puppy is eating so that you can purchase some.

You also need to puppy-proof your home. Be sure that there are no shoes accessible, no plants dangerous for pets, no caustic chemical products in reach and small objects that can be swallowed. If you have had small children you will have an idea of what might be dangerous and if your puppy is coming before children – this will help prepare you to keep babies safe! Decide what areas the puppy will be allowed in, while he is being house broken. It is preferable that there is no carpeting as it is virtually impossible to clean the carpet to the extent that puppy can’t still smell where he went and be sure he will return to this same spot the next time.  It is much better to have the puppy on a type of flooring that can be washed and disinfected to prevent any odor remaining. Puppies love to go back to a spot they have eliminated on previously. A baby gate is ideal to keep a puppy in a room that has suitable flooring until he is completely trained.

When you go to the breeder to pick up your puppy, take your dog crate and an old towel or baby blanket with you. The dog crate is for safe travel home and the towel is to be rubbed  over the mother dog and siblings. This blanket with the smell of mom, will help the puppy feel safe in his new surroundings, both in his crate on the way home and in his new home. Also ask the breeder for some of their drinking water, as a change in water can cause tummy upsets for puppy, just as a change in food would. A 2 litre pop bottle is ideal for taking this water home. You start puppy off with water he is used to and gradually mix in some of your own water until the pop bottle is empty. Be sure and get exact feeding instructions as the puppy’s food will have to be increased as he gets older and grows in size.

Don’t be surprised if your puppy gets car sick on the way home. This does not happen often, but when it does, you will be happy he is in his crate and not being sick all over your clean car.

When you arrive home, let puppy down in your fenced yard as he will likely need to eliminate. He needs to begin his house training immediately. Once he has at least had a pee, if not anything else, he can be taken into the house. Take puppy to the part of the house that you have decided is most suitable for him and let him explore. He will want to check everything out. Some puppies will be very cautious at first, and others will be more adventurous.

Now to the important part – how are you going to manage a puppy and still work.   If at all possible, hopefully you were able to take your holidays for the time immediately after picking up your puppy.  This should allow you at least two weeks and hopefully more, to start housebreaking puppy and getting him used to the rules of his new home.  I will not go into housebreaking specifically, other than to say he needs to go out first thing in the morning, every couple of hours when very young, immediately after eating, and just prior to your & his, bedtime. Use the crate for puppy when you are busy and can’t watch him, for bed time, and whenever you leave the house. In the week before you have to return to work you have some preparation to do.

First: Find a neighbour who is willing to let your puppy out for a few minutes approximately 4 hours after you leave for work.

Second: Start leaving your puppy alone in his crate for increasing amounts of time. The first time crate him and go outside and listen to see if he is quiet. If he is, that is good and means he will likely adjust well to your leaving him.  If he is crying, see how long this lasts. If it is a short period of time, and he quits, this is quite normal. If he continues to cry without stopping, you may have some separation anxiety and hopefully he will respond to the next hint.

Third: Put your puppy in the crate prior to you leaving the house, and play a radio – preferably a talk show where it will seem like there is someone in the house.  Go about your work, occasionally talking along with the radio. Now leave the house and see if puppy misses you. Hopefully he will not notice and will think you are still at home.

Fourth: The day prior to returning to work, leave the house for four hours, and then return to let your puppy out and play with him.  Then again leave the house and return at the same time you will when you return to work. This will prepare the puppy for what is to come.

Fifth: Be sure to have checked with your breeder as to whether puppy can have water available to him in his kennel, but wait for his food until the end of your shift. Depending on the age of the puppy, some may b e able to be fed before your shift and when you return, while others will need to be fed at noon. This means that your neighbour will need to have time to feed and exercise your puppy. Of course the preferred option is that you can come home for lunch and be with your puppy.

Good luck.

A Pet Mat to Catch the Spills

Judge Checking my Coat

The American Kennel Club describes this breed as, a “sturdy, lively, alert toy dog with long flowing double coat. Befitting his noble Chinese ancestry as a highly valued, prized companion” and of course he is also a highly prized show dog.

This breed requires bathing and hours of grooming each day of the show. He must have his coat wrapped after he finishes each day, so that he does not damage it. Lots of skill and patience is required if you want to show a Shih Tzu or you might need a professional handler to do it for you. Unfortunately, if your dog is a beloved house pet – then you might not want him sent away to the dog show for months on end.

Other dogs that were at the show do not require as much grooming as the Shih Tzu and they also make great show dogs. The Pug won second in the toy group and he needs minimal grooming, but still must be in top condition. This means you have to ensure he does not get too fat – pugs often like a good meal – and he must be clean. This means a nice bath each day of the show. The pug also makes a great pet, but he does tend to shed a lot. If you are a stickler and want a super clean house – you may be annoyed with all the hair that this dog loses. But can you think of a cuter face than this pug has? Pugs are happy, lively dogs that love to make you laugh. Great dogs for children, but also the lively “older set”.

Pug Ready to be Examined

Dog shows are a great place to see all of the breeds, if you are thinking of getting a dog. You will be able to see a variety of breeds, large and small as there are different groups from Group 1, the Sporting Breeds to Group 7, with the Herding breeds. The two dogs shown in this post are from Group 5, the Toy Group.

The toy breeds make great companions for older people, who cannot manage the high energy of the Sporting or Herding dogs. They also do well in apartments and smaller spaces and do not need the amount of exercise required by some of the larger breeds. It is important that you see the breeds you are thinking about, and that you talk to breeders and owners to see if their breed characteristics would suit you.

If you are going to travel to shows with your dog, or even just travel, take along their dog bed from home and place it in their wire crate so that they are safe, yet comfortable in your car. The dog bed will make them feel at home, where ever you stop for the night.

Blue Plush Pet Bed

This plush pet bed can be used at home for a soft comfortable bed, or used while you travel by placing it in your dog’s crate.

Having something from home, is always a good way to help ensure your dog does not feel stressed by travel.

Don’t forget to stop by and see the new products that are available for your dog or cat at DogTravelPro and good luck in your search for a breed that suits your age and life style.